"In short, the history of modern firearm development goes through the sequence of matchlock, wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap, and pinfire guns. Of course, this is a rough categorization, and based on the type of barrel, firearms can also be divided into smoothbore and rifled guns, among others.
"The Great Sheng Dynasty's firearms have only advanced to the matchlock gun stage. It wouldn't be too much trouble to push forward to the flintlock stage with a bit more effort, but beyond that, things get difficult.
"Because progressing further requires the technology of chemistry, specifically fulminate of mercury. Whether it is making an external firing device with fulminate of mercury or directly incorporating it into the primer of paper cartridges, this substance is absolutely essential.
